Possibly stupid question about Army rank terminology

Ol' Hermie had actually been a creditable fighter pilot in the Great War. But when the time came, he showed he could crawl and fawn with the best of the toad-eaters.

Regarding Sergeant at arms: This position was definitely around during the 100 years war.(around 13th C). Noblemen were generally mounted. The sergeant was not: so he was considered of lower rank. His basic job was to kill anyone who tried to run away. He stood at the back of a line of infantry. I would guess if the word has a French origin, then it is probably Norman.

set :

he just loved to dress up !
he had himself appointed REICHS JAEGERMEISTER (master of the hunt for all of germany) and would wear a green huntsman outfit (including a hat with a "gamsbart' - shaving brush , as we called it , disrespectfully) .



couldn't find a picture with his full outfit , but this looks lovely too !
(he had a bit of trouble keeping his tummmy "under control" - it had a tendency to try and escape from even the most colourful outfit - that's why he later started to wear a cape over his uniform ) .



he should have done well starring in wagner's operas.
hbg

In medieval Latin sources about the French history the word is servientes.

It's actually one of the oldest rank names in German as well: sarjant, serjant, scharjante, schargante - all meaning "servant of the knight", "footsoldier", "squire". (In a couple of texts from the 12th and 13th century you find these words in those meanings.)

To paraphrase a television program which i never particularly liked, but did come up with this one gem, Hermie there used to dress up like a hotel doorman and eat entire pastry shops.

That's right, Walter. The online etymology dictionary gives the origin as Late Latin, and servientum, as "servant, vassal or soldier."